Trumpeter Eric Vloeimans Interviewed at AAJ

Few musicians from Holland are seen in the U.S., let alone in South Florida, but when they are, it is a rewarding experience. Although Eric Vloeimans is virtually unknown as a leader on North American shores, he is no stranger to audiences familiar with some European jazz markets, where he is held in high regard. The inventive and award-winning trumpet player performed in the U.S. with the likes of the Frank Foster Big Band and the Duke Ellington Band while he studied at the New School in New York City, and he is also known to audiences throughout Asia, South Africa and the Middle East.

Vloeimans toured the U.S. in the fall of 2008 with his Fugimundi trio, including pianist Harmen Fraanje and guitarist Anton Goudsmit, and he is also promoting Hyper (Challenge, 2008) with the Gatecrash aggregation. In a recent performance at the Byron Carlyle Theatre in Miami Beach, Florida, Vloeimans and company delighted listeners with a mini-world music-jazz tour, deftly performing music from various geographical points with a wide sonic and emotional range.

AAJ contributor Javier AQ Ortiz spoke with Vloiemans about absorbing the music of his inestimable influences into his own world view.

Check out Eric Vloeimans: Hyper Fugimundi Gatecrash